Written Answers

Wednesday 19 April 2000

Scottish Executive

Child Pornography

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to either Her Majesty's Government or directly to the European Parliament regarding the consultation on the proposal contained within European Parliament Document No. 10317/99 Initiative of the Republic of Austria with a view to adopting a Council Directive to combat child pornography on the Internet and any implications this proposal may have for the Scottish legal and criminal justice system.

Mr Jim Wallace: Relations with the European Union and control of the Internet are reserved matters. The Scottish Executive made no specific representations on this initiative but welcomes it. Scots law already addresses child pornography, whether or not on the Internet, and I am not aware of any immediate implications for the Scottish legal and criminal justice system. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to combat child pornography, including national and international co-operation.

Council Tax

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering reviewing the legislation which permits local authorities to reduce the council tax payable on second homes.

Mr Jack McConnell: We do not propose any changes at this time to the current council tax arrangements for second homes.

Further Education

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with the Scottish Further Education Funding Council on developing a strategic approach for the provision of tuition in languages to students and, if so, what has been the outcome.

Henry McLeish: No such discussions have been held.

Further Education

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with the Scottish Further Education Funding Council on developing a strategic approach for the provision of tuition in IT skills to students and, if so, what has been the outcome.

Henry McLeish: I have asked the Scottish Further Education Funding Council to encourage and support the FE sector in developing a highly trained, flexible and IT literate workforce, familiar with and skilled in the use of this new technology, which will meet the future requirements of the Scottish economy.

  There have been discussions between Scottish Executive and Funding Council officials on these matters, and the Funding Council has just completed a major public consultation exercise on the development of a comprehensive information and communication technology strategy.

Local Elections

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans any measures to increase voters’ awareness of the fact that it is not necessary to take along their polling cards when going to vote in local elections.

Mr Jim Wallace: The polling card itself informs voters that it is not necessary to take the card to their polling station in order to be able to vote. We do not plan any further publicity at present but the matter will be kept under review.

Objective 3 Funding

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the impact of any shortfall in money available under Objective 3 upon voluntary organisations in Scotland.

Mr Jack McConnell: The resources remaining to be distributed to voluntary organisations under the previous Objective 3 programme will be paid in accordance with the usual procedures. The resources to be allocated to voluntary organisations under the new Objective 3 programme will be decided later in the year.

Pensions

Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when pension sharing on divorce will be introduced in Scotland.

Mr Jim Wallace: Pension sharing will become available in actions for divorce or nullity which start on or after 1 December 2000.

  We are today laying before Parliament the Scottish Executive commencement order and regulations in respect of the devolved aspects of the treatment of pensions on divorce provided for in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

Schools

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools in Glasgow are known to have asbestos within the structure of the building.

Peter Peacock: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Schools

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to deal with asbestos in Glasgow’s schools.

Peter Peacock: Glasgow City Council are responsible for the management of school premises in their area, and information about the action they may be taking in relation to detailed matters of this kind is not held centrally. There is well-established guidance from a number of sources on the management of asbestos in buildings, which the council can take into account in considering issues relating to asbestos in schools.

Student Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to allow student loans and grants to be paid on a monthly basis.

Henry McLeish: There are currently no plans to change the frequency with which grants and loans are paid to students from the present termly basis. The Student Awards Agency for Scotland will, however, be reviewing payment arrangements later this year and will be prepared to consider whether there is a demand for greater frequency of payment and, if so, how that could be met.

Student Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether students continuing their course into academic year 2001-02 will be liable for the graduate contribution in whole or in part.

Henry McLeish: It is proposed that the Graduate Endowment should only apply to those students who enter higher education from academic year 2001-02 onwards. The detail of the arrangements is currently being considered and will be subject to consultation and approval by the Parliament.

Student Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether students commencing HNC/HND courses before 2001 will be liable for the graduate contribution if they go to university for one or two years under accelerated entry arrangements.

Henry McLeish: It is proposed that students who start a continuous programme of study before academic year 2001 will not be liable for the Graduate Endowment regardless of the type of course undertaken. If, however, a student were to have a break from higher education prior to commencing an accelerated degree course in 2001 or later, then the student would be eligible for the Graduate Endowment. The detail of the arrangements is currently being considered and will be subject to consultation and approval by Parliament.

Student Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether students beginning an accelerated degree course over the age of 25, who have moved on from HNC/HND courses begun before the age of 25, will be liable to pay the graduate contribution.

Henry McLeish: It is proposed that the Graduate Endowment should only apply to those students who enter higher education from 2001-02 onwards. Certain categories of students will be exempt; students undertaking HNC/HND courses; mature students; lone parents; and disabled students. The detail of the arrangements is currently being considered and will be subject to consultation and approval by Parliament.

Student Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that students at further education colleges receive their loan entitlements at dates which relate to college timetables.

Henry McLeish: The payment dates for students’ loans are directly related to the course dates which all institutions are required to notify to the Student Loans Company Limited. The Scottish Executive has in the past required the Loans Company to modify its systems to cater for institutions operating non-standard timetables and will be prepared to do so again if this is considered necessary.

Student Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider making an interim hardship payment to people commencing college courses who are coming off benefit.

Henry McLeish: Students who are experiencing financial difficulty can apply for assistance from their institution's Access Funds. These funds, which are provided by the Executive, are administered by the individual academic authorities and are specifically targeted to help students whose access to, or continued participation in, further or higher education might be hindered by financial difficulties.

  Colleges and universities have discretion to provide payments to students who are moving from the benefit system to undertake a course.

Student Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive to detail the percentage of students dropping out of HNC/HND college courses by year of course and by college.

Henry McLeish: This information is not held centrally.

Textiles Industry

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any Scottish clothing manufacturers were short-listed for the Ministry of Defence contract for Royal Navy uniforms, what support it gave to any short-listed firms and what representations it has made to the Ministry of Defence on this matter.

Henry McLeish: The Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency (DCTA) is responsible for the procurement of all clothing and textiles for the Ministry of Defence. The Scottish Executive was not approached by any Scottish clothing manufacturers about the Royal Navy uniforms contract.

Textiles Industry

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any Scottish clothing manufacturers currently provide uniforms and clothing to the Ministry of Defence (MoD); whether the proportion of contracts awarded to Scottish clothing manufacturers has reduced in the last 10 years and what plans it has to support the industry when seeking to secure such MoD contracts in future.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive does not hold the information requested. The Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency (DCTA) is responsible for the procurement of all clothing and textiles for the MoD. The Scottish Executive is providing a range of support to Scottish clothing and textile manufacturers.

Tourism

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any concerns about the decision made by Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board to close the Tourist Information Office in Greenock.

Henry McLeish: This is an operational matter for Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board, which is best placed to determine the information services needed in the area.

Tourism

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board received from local authorities within its area in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99 and (d) 1999-2000.

Henry McLeish: The information is as follows:

  


1996-97


£1,806,027




1997-98


£1,768,398




1998-99


£1,761,779




1999-2000


£1,975,093

Tourism

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities within Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board area contributed to the funding of the Board in (a) 1996-97, (b) 1997-98, (c) 1998-99, and (d) 1999-2000, and how much they paid.

Henry McLeish: The information is as follows:

  


1996-97

 

£



 

Glasgow City


1,538,027



 

Inverclyde


100,000



 

North Lanarkshire


5,000



 

Renfrewshire


56,000



 

South Lanarkshire


107,000




1997-98


Glasgow City


1,496,398



 

Inverclyde


100,000



 

Renfrewshire


70,000



 

South Lanarkshire


102,000




1998-99


Glasgow City


1,448,779



 

Inverclyde


100,000



 

North Lanarkshire


60,000



 

Renfrewshire


56,000



 

South Lanarkshire


97,000




1999-2000


Glasgow City


1,645,093



 

Inverclyde


100,000



 

North Lanarkshire


60,000



 

Renfrewshire


73,000



 

South Lanarkshire


97,000

Tourism

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board will receive in the current financial year from local authorities within its area.

Henry McLeish: The total amount is £2,124,300.

Tourism

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities within the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board area will contribute to the Board’s funds in the current financial year and how much will they pay.

Henry McLeish: The information is as follows:

  


Local Authority


Grant awarded (£)




Glasgow City


1,908,000




Inverclyde*


40,000




Renfrewshire**


79,300




South Lanarkshire


97,000




  *With the possibility of a further £40,000 later.

  **A core contribution of £53,000 plus the increased costs of the new Paisley TIC. For 2000-01 these increased costs are estimated to be £26,300.

Tourism

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any concerns about the level of financial support given to Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board by local authorities within the board’s area.

Henry McLeish: I would hope that local authorities would show the same commitment to tourism as has the Scottish Executive. However, funding decisions are for authorities themselves. The total amount of local authority funding for Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board has risen in each financial year since 1998-99.

Tourism

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the level of financial support given to Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board by local authorities within the board’s area is related in any way to the level of confidence by local authorities in the board.

Henry McLeish: It is for authorities themselves to determine the importance they attach to the promotion of tourism in their area and thus the level of grant they make to Area Tourist Boards. The rationale behind their decisions is a matter for the authorities themselves.

Tourism

Mr Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board receives from central government.

Henry McLeish: Area Tourist Boards do not receive funding directly from central government. Funding is provided by the Scottish Tourist Board on the basis of a formula that has been agreed with the ATBs. STB is providing £293,000 to Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board in 2000-01.

Transport

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to detail what funding was provided in 1999-2000 and will be provided in 2000-01, and any additional funding that has been, or is to be, made available for: (a) child road safety education and information; (b) local authority spending on schemes for child safety and safe routes to school; (c) safety at congestion stress points and other improvements on trunk roads networks; (d) congestion warning systems to reduce accidents on congested sections of motorways; (e) integrated transport projects applying new technology to public transport ticketing and improved traffic management in towns; (f) local authority improvements in telephone information for passengers on local transport services and (g) making existing diesel buses and taxis in cities and towns "cleaner" in their fuel consumption.

Sarah Boyack: The answer can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Holyrood Project

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer what the cost is of the Holyrood project team, and whether this cost is included in the budget of £195 million.

Sir David Steel: In financial year 1999-2000, the Holyrood Project Team costs totalled £434,090 which comprised £401,422 staff costs and £32,668 non-staff costs. The costs are included in the Parliament’s annual budget and therefore not included in the budget of £195 million.

Holyrood Project

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer how much space has been allocated for filing cabinets and other records storage in the new Parliament building.

Sir David Steel: Filing cabinets will be provided in office and other areas taking into account requirements identified in "building user group" discussions. There will also be storage space for files etc in a storage wall in each MSP room and researchers office space. In addition there will be a record storage area of approximately 100m 2  in the Parliament basement.

Parliamentary Accommodation

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Presiding Officer whether it will publish the cleaning specification and schedules for toilets in the Parliament Headquarters building together with the monitoring reports to date.

Sir David Steel: I do not propose to publish either the cleaning specification, toilet cleaning schedules nor monitoring reports for PHQ as this information is readily available within the Facilities Management Office, Room 1.20, PHQ. Anyone wishing to peruse the information should contact the Helpdesk (Ext. 85100) and suitable arrangements will be put in place.